10 Biblical Signs You Are Not Saved Genuinely: With Bible References

Many people claim to believe in Jesus Christ as Lord, yet the Bible warns that without being truly born again, they may not be saved. It is essential to examine your faith carefully and look at the signs that may prove a lack of genuine change. Through relevant Bible references, you can discover truth, confirm your assurance of eternal life, and grow in a real personal relationship with God. Keep reading and allow Scripture to guide your steps toward living faithfully.

Warning Signs You Are Not Saved

Here are the warning signs you are not saved, drawn from relevant Bible references that help you examine your faith and confirm whether your walk with Jesus Christ as Lord is truly born again or only a claim without assurance of eternal life.

1. Unbelief in Jesus Christ:

Christianity teaches that genuine salvation rests on faith in Jesus Christ, the very foundation of the Christian faith, yet many still rejects the Son and remain under the wrath of God (John 3:36). The Bible is clear that without trusting in the only Savior, no one will be saved, for John 14:6 and Acts 4:12 affirm the fundamental truth that eternal life comes through Christ alone. Still, countless souls I have encountered struggle with belief, often thinking their good deeds will suffice, yet Scripture warns they are not saved without surrender to Him. 

In my own journey, I too wrestled with the idea that my actions could earn favor, but when I finally placed all trusting hope in Jesus Christ, I experienced the freedom of true salvation that no work of mine could ever achieve.

2. Lack of Repentance:

A lack of repentance shows that salvation is questionable, for Jesus clearly emphasized in Luke 13:3 that those who refuse to repent will perish; true repentance is a genuine turning away from sinful nature, marked by remorse, a change in behavior, and a heart that seeks to please God. When people claim faith but continue in sin without sorrow, there is no real transformation, and they remain in comfort with sinful ways rather than becoming new in Christ. 

Over years of ministry, I have seen many who profess belief yet resist repentance, and I once walked that same path myself until conviction broke me; it was only when I surrendered and allowed God to reshape my heart that true freedom began, and I could no longer rest in old patterns but desired only to please Him.

3. Absence of Conviction and Assurance:

The Holy Spirit convicts true believers of sin and gives them assurance of salvation, as Romans 8:16 declares that the Spirit bears inner witness that we are children of God, yet when someone lacks this certainty and shows no true repentance, their adoption into God’s family is doubtful. While many people have spoken of the constant struggle, doubt, and emptiness they feel, those who don’t experience real conviction or a longing for righteousness remain outside the marks of a true believer who naturally feels deep sorrow for sin.

In my pastoral journey, I’ve walked with individuals who wrestled with this very issue, and I too once mistook silence of conscience as peace; it was only when the Spirit pierced my heart with sorrow and gave me unshakable assurance that I finally rested in the joy of knowing I truly belong to Christ.

4. Lack of Fruit of the Spirit:

A life that lacks the fruit of the Spirit is a serious warning sign, for Galatians 5:22-23 reveals that a true believer naturally shows love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control as clear evidence of spiritual growth and transformation. When someone does not reflect these virtues in daily life, their supposed commitment to God’s Word becomes questionable, since people who are truly saved grow into being more loving and kind, not stagnant in the same patterns. 

In my own walk, I learned that outward religion without inward fruit left me empty, but as I surrendered, the Spirit began shaping me—making me more patient with others, more faithful in trials, and more joyful in small things that once went unnoticed.

5. Continual Practice of Sin:

While Christians may struggle with sin, living in a lifestyle of consistent, unrepentant, and intentional wrongdoing reveals a heart that is not saved, for 1 John 3:9 teaches that true believers cannot remain in habitual sin without experience of conviction. Those who truly belong to Christ feel remorse, strive to turn away from sinful habits, and long for righteousness, while others I have met often try to justify their choices by believing that God’s grace simply covers everything without change. Yet true salvation always leads to transformation and a burning desire to live differently. 

In my own journey, I once excused my actions under the banner of grace, but over time the Spirit made it impossible to stay comfortable; real conviction brought me to repentance, and I began to fight sin instead of embrace it.

6. Absence of Love for God and Others:

Jesus emphasized that the greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart and to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-39), making this the very core of Christianity. When someone has truly experienced the transformative power of salvation, the heart naturally longs to serve and care for others, for 1 John 4:7-8 and 1 John 3:14 show that love is the evidence of new life. Yet I have seen many people who claim faith but harbor bitterness, resentment, and hatred, proving they are not changed by Christ. 

In my own walk, I realized that my faith only became real when it reflects love—first for God in worship, then for others in forgiveness and kindness, even when it was not easy.

7. Lack of Desire for God’s Word:

The Bible, as the inspired Word of God, is essential for spiritual growth, and Psalm 119:11 reminds us that a true believer will hunger for the Scriptures, seeking guidance, comfort, and nourishment to align their life with God’s will. A persistent lack of desire to engage with the Word causes the soul to drift away from faith, showing that love for Christ is missing, since a loving devotion to His Word is always a sign of genuine salvation. 

In my own journey, I noticed that when my heart grew cold, my interest in the Word weakened; but when I surrendered afresh, the Spirit renewed a deep longing for Scripture that daily feeds me and keeps me close to God.

8. Lack of Transformation:

True salvation brings a radical transformation, for 2 Corinthians 5:17 declares that if any person is in Christ, they are a new creation, leaving behind old sinful habits; yet when someone remains unchanged, it raises a serious question of obedience and true commitment to God. Genuine faith is always seen, because it transforms even the hardest hearts, but a lack of change raises doubts about one’s salvation. 

In my ministry, I have witnessed people who claimed belief yet stayed the same year after year, and I too once struggled with this tension until I yielded fully to Christ; only then did I begin to notice real shifts in my desires and behavior that confirmed His work within me.

9. Apathy Towards Spiritual Things:

When true believers have a living relationship with God, there is a natural hunger for fellowship, prayer, worship, and serving, yet an attitude of indifference toward these matters often signals a lack of genuine salvation. Hebrews 10:25 warns against those who stop prioritizing their faith, because such neglect leads to a fall into spiritual darkness, while true faith always keeps hearts engaged in God’s presence. 

In my own walk, I once noticed seasons where I drifted into apathy, and it was frightening how quickly joy faded; but as I returned to prayer and worship, the Spirit reignited my hunger, reminding me that neglect of spiritual things is a dangerous sign.

10. Lack of Perseverance:

True believers persevere in their faith even when challenges and trials come, for Luke 9:62 shows that anyone who looks back is unfit for following Christ. When people fall away as difficulties arise, it often reveal a lack of commitment, and I have seen many give up when their faith was tested, showing it was shallow rather than genuine. But real salvation endures through the storms, proving its depth in the way a heart clings to Christ no matter what comes. 

In my own journey, I faced seasons where hardship tempted me to walk away, yet each trial became an anchor point that strengthened my trust and reminded me that perseverance is not my strength alone, but Christ’s work within me.

Conclusion

The journey of faith is not about empty claims but about genuine transformation through Jesus Christ. These 10 biblical signs serve as a mirror to examine your heart and confirm if your walk with God is real. Allow Scripture to guide you, repent where needed, and seek a living relationship with Christ that gives true assurance of eternal life.

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